Manual Physical Therapy in St. Clair, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Healing

Manual physical therapy in St. Clair, MO. Physical therapy is a healthcare specialty that focuses on the use of physical methods, such as exercise, manual therapy, and other treatments, to help patients regain optimal physical function. At Axes, our St. Clair, MO physical and occupational therapists return our clients to the things they enjoy doing most by using treatments that are backed by evidence to work. One treatment we’ve found successful is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in St. Clair, MO uses skilled hand movements, including joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, and manipulation, to improve joint and muscle function, reduce pain, and restore mobility.. If you’re suffering an illness or injury in St. Clair, MO that’s preventing you from living the life you want, contact Axes through our website or call the location nearest you to get back to the life you want.

What Is Manual Physical Therapy?

The IFOMPT defines “manual therapy” as:

a specialized area of physiotherapy / physical therapy for the management of neuro-musculoskeletal conditions, based on clinical reasoning, using highly specific treatment approaches including manual techniques and therapeutic exercises.

Manual physical therapy has been utilized for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. Also referred to as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the area of physical therapy. It’s a type of treatment in which the physical therapists utilizes their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage affected body parts and surrounding tissues. Doing this can help address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, joint stiffness, muscle spasms, and more. It encourages the body to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore function.

Manual physical therapy seeks to help patients return to the activities they enjoy through non-invasive techniques that can be used by themselves or in concert with other techniques, such as exercise and stretching. Studies show that a combination of manual physical therapy and other types of physical therapy, such as exercise prescription, is more effective than either therapy used by itself. At Axes, our St. Clair, MO physical therapists only utilize treatment plans that have been proven to be safe and effective.

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Help With in St. Clair, MO

Manual physical therapy can be used to treat a wide range of conditions and injuries. Here are some examples:

• Back pain — Manual physical therapy can be effective in treating chronic low back pain, which up to 84%of American adults experience at some point in their lifetime.
• Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also help patients who are experiencing neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, stress, or an acute injury.
• Sports injuries — Those who play sports in St. Clair, MO who experience sports injuries like sprains, strains, and ACL tears can get back to the top of their game quicker through manual therapy.
• Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can help manage the symptoms of arthritis, a degenerative condition used to describe a group of conditions that cause pain and inflammation in the joints. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce pain and stiffness in the joints, improve mobility, and impede the disease from progressing further.
• Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that causes pain throughout the body or at multiple sites.
• Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be effective in treating headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.

These are just some of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can help treat. If you are experiencing pain or tenderness, speak to an Axes St. Clair, MO physical therapist to discuss if manual physical therapy is appropriate for your injury or condition. After you come to us for a free free injury screenings, we’ll form a team with you and your doctor to get you back to the activities you love most in ways that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Our St. Clair, MO Physical Therapists Use

There are several different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in St. Clair, MO may use, including:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of exerting pressure to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The aim of soft tissue mobilization is to relieve pain, increase range of motion, and promote healing by manipulating the soft tissues. This can be accomplished using numerous different techniques including massage therapy, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist exerts pressure and stretches the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in a particular manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve blood flow. Soft tissue mobilization is often used to treat conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is best when combined with other treatments such as exercise and stretching to help patients achieve optimal results.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a passive technique in which the therapist utilized slow movements to the joint along its natural path. The aim of joint mobilization is to improve joint mobility and reduce pain by gently stretching the joint capsule and surrounding soft tissues. Joint mobilization is a manual physical therapy technique that can help patients who have stiffness in a joint, and it is usually performed without causing any audible cracking sounds.

Joint Mobilization

Joint manipulation, on the other hand, is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique in which the physical therapist applies a quick and controlled force to the joint. The goal of joint manipulation is to regain a joint’s range of motion and reduce pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation can produce an audible popping or cracking sound due to the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is most commonly used for people who have acute joint pain, limited joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. You need to remember that joint manipulation should only be done by qualified healthcare professional, as it does carry certain risks, such as injury or exacerbation of an existing condition.

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release is a manual therapy technique that is used to treat myofascial pain and dysfunction. Fascia is a thin, tough, and elastic connective tissue that surrounds and supports the organs and instructions inside our bodies. Myofascial release works by applying sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release tension and regain normal movement. Myofascial release is often used to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

During a myofascial release session, the physical therapist applies gentle, sustained pressure to specific areas of the body where there is restriction in the fascia. The pressure is applied gradually, allowing the fascia to elongate and release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to enhance the benefits of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy works by applying pressure to specific points within a muscle or fascia that are giving the patients problems. The objective of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by St. Clair, MO physical therapists to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, and sports injuries.

During your trigger point therapy appointment, the therapist uses their hands or a specialized tool to apply direct pressure to the trigger point. More pressure is applied as the session goes on, and it’s sustained for several seconds or longer, allowing the trigger point to release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to improve the effects of the trigger point therapy. Occasionally, your physical therapist may advise trigger point dry needling.

Benefits of Manual Physical Therapy in St. Clair, MO

Manual physical therapy can do wonders for your body and lifestyle, including:

• Decreased pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel less pain while you’re recovering. By reducing pain, patients can experience an improved quality of life and can start getting their lifestyle back sooner.
• Increased range of motion — By regaining normal function, manual physical therapy can help patients perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also help in future injury prevention.
• Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, like soft tissue mobilization, can help boost circulation by encouraging blood flow to the affected body part.
• Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to encourage the body’s natural healing process, which can speed up the recovery process. This can be especially great for patients who recently had an operation or other medical procedures.
• Improved posture — Manual therapy can offer you a better posture by releasing tension in the muscles and fascia that support the spine and other joints.
• Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a calming experience, as it releases endorphins, which naturally reduces stress and improves mental health.
• Improved quality of life — With all the previous benefits in place, manual physical therapy can help patients to enjoy a better quality of life overall. Patients can find relief because of less anxiety, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally being able to get back to the activities they love.

Other services we offer in St. Clair, MO include:

• Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
• Workers Comp' Physical Therapy
• Migraine Relief
• Sprain and Strain Treatment
• Geriatric Physical Therapy
• Injury Rehabilitation
• Pain Management Services
• TMJ Treatment
• Herniated Disc Treatment
• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment

Manual Physical Therapy in St. Clair, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a powerful and effective treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in St. Clair, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize certain parts of the body, physical therapists can help patients achieve optimal mobility and function without the need for invasive procedures or medications. At Axes, we provide positive client experiences by helping St. Clair, MO residents return to the activities they love with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us online or call the location nearest you.